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Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
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Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque (Malay: Masjid Omar Ali Saifuddien) or unofficially Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque (abbreviated as the SOAS Mosque), is a mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. It is one of the two state mosques (masjid negara), the other Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque. One of the biggest and most striking mosques in the Far East, it was completed in 1958 at a cost of US$5 million, built by the eponymous Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei.
The mosque's design was significantly influenced by Mughal architecture; and it is recognisable by its gold dome that dominates the city's skyline. Situated in a man-made lagoon with a ceremonial stone barge, the mosque has become one of the most photographed icons in the country. The inside is decorated with rugs from Saudi Arabia and walls made of Italian marble. The mosque is a popular tourist destination due to its façade, but its main purpose is to be a place of worship.
According to stories, Rudolfo Nolli, an Italian artist and architect, created the mosque based on an initial drawing created by Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III. In 1952, a committee was established to identify a suitable site for the mosque, chaired by Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Anak Muhammad Yasin. With the help of a contractor, Sino-Malayan Engineer, and comprehensive architectural designs created by the Malaysian-based Booty and Edward Chartered Architects, the construction began on 4 February 1954. The consulting firm was the Singapore-based Steen, Sehested and Partners.
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III provided the first concepts for the mosque designs, which draughtsman Haji Besar bin Sagap put down on paper. Since Padang Besar (present day Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien) was utilised for large meetings, it was first proposed that this was the location of the mosque. For the sake of the Kampong Ayer people, the Sultan, however, requested that it be in the current location close to the Brunei River. The Sultan announced the first National Development Plan (RKN 1) when he built the mosque.
The construction used 1,400 tonnes (1,500 short tons) of concrete and 640 tonnes (700 short tons) of steel, with its foundation piles measuring between 24–37 metres (80–120 ft). The mosque was completed in five years, and it was officially opened by the Sultan on 26 September 1958, in conjunction to his 42nd birthday celebration. Hassan Azhari sang the call to prayer at the mosque's opening. The opening ceremony was attended by Malay Sultans, state dignitaries, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Governor General of Southeast Asia, and representatives from the British government, and it was notably the first news reported over the radio in the country at that time.
Between 30 December 1959 and 3 January 1960, Anwar Musaddad gave several lectures in the mosque. The mosque's barge was inaugurated on 18 December 1967 in conjunction with the 1,400th anniversary of Nuzul Al-Quran. Prominent visitors to the mosque include Queen Elizabeth II in 1972, Pierre Trudeau in 1983, Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq in the mid-1980s, Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz in 1998, and Narendra Modi in 2024.
During the construction of the Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, in January 1994 the first renovation of the mosque was completed, and involved the installation of air conditioning and decorative glass with verses from the Al-Quran on the small windows of the domes, some of which displayed the Asma' Allah al-Husna. The mosque's previous glassless windows allowed fresh air to circulate inside.
The mosque has hosted a number of important occasions in Brunei's history, such as the 31 December 1983 mass thanksgiving prayer on the declaration of Independence Day. It remains the main venue for the solemnisation of royal weddings and mass prayers of gratitude on National Day. Among the notable royal marriages that have been solemnised in the mosque include Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in 1965; Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah in 2004; Princess Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah in 1996; and Princess Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah in 2007.
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Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque (Malay: Masjid Omar Ali Saifuddien) or unofficially Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque (abbreviated as the SOAS Mosque), is a mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. It is one of the two state mosques (masjid negara), the other Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque. One of the biggest and most striking mosques in the Far East, it was completed in 1958 at a cost of US$5 million, built by the eponymous Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei.
The mosque's design was significantly influenced by Mughal architecture; and it is recognisable by its gold dome that dominates the city's skyline. Situated in a man-made lagoon with a ceremonial stone barge, the mosque has become one of the most photographed icons in the country. The inside is decorated with rugs from Saudi Arabia and walls made of Italian marble. The mosque is a popular tourist destination due to its façade, but its main purpose is to be a place of worship.
According to stories, Rudolfo Nolli, an Italian artist and architect, created the mosque based on an initial drawing created by Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III. In 1952, a committee was established to identify a suitable site for the mosque, chaired by Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Anak Muhammad Yasin. With the help of a contractor, Sino-Malayan Engineer, and comprehensive architectural designs created by the Malaysian-based Booty and Edward Chartered Architects, the construction began on 4 February 1954. The consulting firm was the Singapore-based Steen, Sehested and Partners.
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III provided the first concepts for the mosque designs, which draughtsman Haji Besar bin Sagap put down on paper. Since Padang Besar (present day Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien) was utilised for large meetings, it was first proposed that this was the location of the mosque. For the sake of the Kampong Ayer people, the Sultan, however, requested that it be in the current location close to the Brunei River. The Sultan announced the first National Development Plan (RKN 1) when he built the mosque.
The construction used 1,400 tonnes (1,500 short tons) of concrete and 640 tonnes (700 short tons) of steel, with its foundation piles measuring between 24–37 metres (80–120 ft). The mosque was completed in five years, and it was officially opened by the Sultan on 26 September 1958, in conjunction to his 42nd birthday celebration. Hassan Azhari sang the call to prayer at the mosque's opening. The opening ceremony was attended by Malay Sultans, state dignitaries, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Governor General of Southeast Asia, and representatives from the British government, and it was notably the first news reported over the radio in the country at that time.
Between 30 December 1959 and 3 January 1960, Anwar Musaddad gave several lectures in the mosque. The mosque's barge was inaugurated on 18 December 1967 in conjunction with the 1,400th anniversary of Nuzul Al-Quran. Prominent visitors to the mosque include Queen Elizabeth II in 1972, Pierre Trudeau in 1983, Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq in the mid-1980s, Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz in 1998, and Narendra Modi in 2024.
During the construction of the Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, in January 1994 the first renovation of the mosque was completed, and involved the installation of air conditioning and decorative glass with verses from the Al-Quran on the small windows of the domes, some of which displayed the Asma' Allah al-Husna. The mosque's previous glassless windows allowed fresh air to circulate inside.
The mosque has hosted a number of important occasions in Brunei's history, such as the 31 December 1983 mass thanksgiving prayer on the declaration of Independence Day. It remains the main venue for the solemnisation of royal weddings and mass prayers of gratitude on National Day. Among the notable royal marriages that have been solemnised in the mosque include Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in 1965; Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah in 2004; Princess Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah in 1996; and Princess Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah in 2007.
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